The innovative and intelligent ORCUS, by Jeremy Neal, adds greatly to the increasing wealth of knowledge that astrology brings to the world.

The first section of the book, which discusses the Hadean triumvirate’s influence on a variety of charts, as well as exploring the mythology behind the objects, will be of immense value to both intermediate and professional astrologers.

The second section of the book, which explores the influence of Ixion, Pluto and Orcus on the soul during the so–called “mid-life crisis” is a masterpiece of spiritual wisdom and guidance. The analysis of exactly what spiritual integrity and living an authentic life requires is profound and inspiring, offering insights that will be of value to anyone reading the book, even non-astrologers.

I would have liked a more detailed summary of the house and sign placements of, especially Orcus and Ixion, as I know very little about these objects. On the other hand, generalising these objects and taking them out of the context of an individual’s unique and complex chart would not create an authentic understanding of their powerful influence on our lives.

And it is in its authenticity that ORCUS is at its best: the excellent research, the well-written, easy to read style, the cautious and pragmatic approach to astrology as a tool for spiritual evolution, all these and more speak to the immense value of this book.

A must-buy for anyone interested in astrology and, for the second section alone, a highly recommended buy for anyone who is interested in understanding the power plays and ego-drives that unconsciously motivate us between the years of the first and second Saturn Returns (from +- 29 to +-60 years of age.)

Wikipedia in English

Discovered in 2004, 90482 Orcus is a transneptunian object and Plutino in 2:3 resonance with Neptune, creating a Hadean triumvirate alongside Pluto and Ixion. This groundbreaking work traces the mythological roots of Orcus and extrapolates a rich astrological principle which perfectly encapsulates the emerging spiritual paradigm of our age.

The approaches to Orcus are uncompromising and inescapable, but to balk at his hard-won revelation is to reject all possibility of an authentic and fulfilling life. For the astrologer, the wisdom of Orcus adds a vivid new dimension to the nativity, and for the esoteric student too, the methodologies and tenets of Orcus create a profound organising principle with which to better understand the exigent shift from a life of unsatisfying material striving to a new depth of spiritual freedom.

"Jeremy Neal's masterwork about Orcus is a major contribution to the advancement of astrology. Facing the real significance of these newly-discovered trans-Neptunian bodies is not work for the faint-hearted. This is a courageous book that carries the reader into the heart of darkness. Fortunately, it also carries us out again! Neal faces painful subjects unflinchingly, and yet never loses sight of the higher ground. I enthusiastically welcome his voice to the conversation."